At this point I’m thinking about my future and juggling the facts that with the way my health is I figure even though my life expectancy is 62 which gives me four years to live, I think that these following four years will be my last good years.
I mean these following four years is probably the last years I will have energy and both good physical and mental health. So the decision that I need to ponder is this: Do I work for the next four years? Or would it be better to leave my job and enjoy my last good years?
My job is great in many ways; I like my co-workers, I like my bosses, I love the company that employs me, and the work ain’t tough. I have extra benefits that I have never received at any other job.
The city I work in just raised their minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. I get paid vacation, paid sick leave, they gave us some debit/ credit card to use at precipitating clinics, hospitals, drug stores to pay the cost of medication and other health related costs. So my local pharmacy accepts Medicare but I still get charged nominal fees for the past two years but I present this card and get my meds for free.
And I don’t know if this company is crazy or something but they have this benefit that they add their own money too every month which is basically a program that if I get fired or quit, they will give me this growing fund which now stands at $7000. That’s a lot of rent and food money. It gets bigger all the time and when I leave this job it’s all mine.
But the reality is that I don’t like the idea of spending my last 4 good years working at a job that is not glorious or high status and then I die. I am seriously considering quitting and doing something else with my life besides toiling at a job with no chance of promotion. And then after 4 years I retire and I probably will start declining physically. My own personal trend seems to be that my mental health will get better in some ways and worse in other ways as I age.
So that’s the dilemma. I’m going to talk it over with my sisters. I’m self sufficient and not a burden but they still help me in many ways. The question is: can I survive on SSDI alone without working?
Sounds like you have a good thing going and you don’t really know if you’ll actually be happier or sadder if you stop working. Maybe you just need a vacation? Doesn’t sound like you’ll die at 62.
interesting dilemma…I bet you live in good health for thirty more years !! if you enjoy your job why not work until you can’t? I would work if I could…no way no way…you are someone I look up to @77nick77 if you think you can swing the $7000 to live on would be rough…I make 14, 000 a year and I am just getting by.
That does sound like a dilemma. All i can say is weigh up your options - look at the pro and cons of each choice. Perhaps do a little research into SSDI and do up a mock budget to help you look at what your likely expenses are going to be when you aren’t working. Are they going to be covered by the SSDI. I like what @anon62973308 suggested - maybe go for a holiday first and get a feel for it. Whatever you decide, i hope it makes you happy.
I think it’s like the advice about cars which is drive it until it dies. I have lost a job that almost made me feel like I’d lost my life. And what would you do with all that time on your hands? I do think you have many more years than 4. Who said that’s your life expectancy? I think it’s well into the 70’s for males.
Mate. It’s a tough call but working part time is good. I don’t work per se but my volunteer job is physical and I go a couple of days in most weeks. If your getting good physical movement and paying the bills then I wouldn’t go too soon. Might pay to inquire about the welfare you can get it. Still. We have a different system over here and it’s ok. I get my medical free mostly and scripts are cheap…
We have a pretty good system here at the moment. I can survive with dad’s help and still have some disposable income. It’s only good to have spare time and income to use it. It’s amazing how much it costs you leaving the house for food, gas etc.
Mate. I’d suggest working a bit more if your fit and doing it easy. Keep that fitness up unless you have a plan!
Yeah for sure and you seem to be doing well at it. I’d be less likely to rock the boat and build up that nest egg till you need it. Meanwhile start planning more seriously for retirement. It’s all about having little treats for me. If I can live happy and still have a little left over for emergencies or fun then I’m happy!
